[LiteraryLark]

If everything works out in my favor, I will be moving out for the first time after the end of my contract with my new job. The contract is a full time position with a $1300 monthly stipend. I am clueless of all the expenses it will cost to move out. Let's say the house I will be moving out to will cost $1400 a month. I know that the basics I'll need to pay are gas, electricity, water, phone, and cable, but the average costs of them I am not sure of, take into account that I'll be splitting these expenses with my boyfriend. Secondly, I'll also need to know any other expenses and odds and ends that I'll need in order to move, supplies, furniture outside of a bed such as a couch and dinner table, pets (my cat, a snake, and rats), etc.

Additionally, I'm also planning on buying my first car more than likely used, and it's important to know how much moving out will cost in order to calculate how much I can spend on my first car.

Any advice or input is appreciated.

[unaluna]

Do you have a big savings cushion? That would help. You live in a fairly expensive area of the country. Are you moving out of range of public transportation? Is your new job near your new house?

[possum220]

I don't live in the Us so I am not sure how much it will cost. Please make sure that your b/f is aware that you will be splitting things in half. Sometime relationships come adrift with the financial side of things.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by hankster

Do you have a big savings cushion? That would help. You live in a fairly expensive area of the country. Are you moving out of range of public transportation? Is your new job near your new house?

I should have about $7500 saved up by the end of my contract just by splitting my paycheck in half.

I'm not familiar with the place I am moving to. I am moving closer to my boyfriend.

I am planning on getting another full-time job at the new town after my contract has ended with this job.

[Nammu]

Most places you need to pay a deposit fee, first and last months rent to move in, a pet fee. Some places you must pay a monthly pet rent.

Many utilities now require an advance fee to hook up services and some also require a deposit.

I'd recommend waiting on a car so you know how much you can afford to pay monthly. Add to that insurance, gas and up keep. An emergency stash to cover tires and other unexpected break downs

If you don't yet have a job lined up yet, do you have some one you could stay with until you find a job? That's a lot of expenses to commit to without having a source of income.

How much this will cost depends on the area and what services you order. Basic cable vs extras are different in different area depending on competition. You might have to go without some of those things until you've established an income.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by sidestepper

If you don't yet have a job lined up yet, do you have some one you could stay with until you find a job? That's a lot of expenses to commit to without having a source of income.

I currently live with my parents. My parents and boyfriend recommended that I found a job first before moving out.

[Nammu]

Furniture also depends on where you buy it. Goodwill is a good place to find things when you start out. Their inventory changes constantly so you don't have to settle on one thing.

You can call the place you are planing to move to and ask about the average cost for utilities in the same area and size of place you have. Most managers or landlords know approximately these costs.
Depending on where you are moving you might need to factor in direct sunlight and wind exposure into the cost of utilities. For instance what're I live it's very hot, so you would not want a place that faces the sun in the afternoons, needs good shade and tight workmanship so the AC stays in your apartment and not flowing out the cracks by doors and windows.

[Nammu]

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

I currently live with my parents. My parents and boyfriend recommended that I found a job first before moving out.

That's wise.

[Shangrala]

You can always do some online research to compare living costs (rent) in a specific area. As a general rule, the closer to the city = more costly.
Are you seeking an apartment, or single house? Do you have pets, if so then it'd be a criteria to look for pet-friendly rentals, which are usually harder to find, depending on where you're looking. Every state is different & has their own set of rules & costs.

Another thing to consider is that apartments provide all appliances, while some houses don't. Yard upkeep is usually the tenant's responsibility when renting a house, so if you're not into outdoor upkeep, then apartments might be for you.

I'm in California & as an example, the expense for me to move would be:

First & last month's rent
Cleaning deposit (close to the amount of one month's rent)
Pet deposit (about half of one month's rent)
Utility hookup (some require a deposit for first time customers)
Cable installment
Cost in gas for moving everything
Stocking the fridge & cupboards

Where I live & due to my choices, it'd cost me about $7K to move (give or take a few hundred). But, I'm picky & my standards are high. I prefer suburban residential single homes in a good location. For that, it'd cost more.

Hope that helps some

Shangrala

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

I should have about $7500 saved up by the end of my contract just by splitting my paycheck in half.

I'm not familiar with the place I am moving to. I am moving closer to my boyfriend.

I am planning on getting another full-time job at the new town after my contract has ended with this job.

You'll be fine. That's plenty enough money to make a move.

[lizardlady]

The suggestion of your parents and boyfriend to find a job before you move is a solid one. Think of the potential problems if you move and then can't find a job.

If you are moving in with your boyfriend, I'd recommend putting in writing who pays for what. Sounds kind of silly to have it in writing, but it protects both of you two ways. One, fights over bills can kill a relationship. Two, if the relationship goes sour for some reason you are protected financially.

Once you find out the cost of living for where you want to move, create a budget to see if you can afford it. Again, think what would happen if you find a job, move, then find out you can't afford to stay.

I think someone else mentioned this, but check with future landlords about whether they accept pets and are there limits on what you can have. For example, some places put a weight limit on dogs to keep big dogs out. Some places won't allow you to have exotics (snake).

Are you going to have to rent something to move your stuff? That's another expense to consider.

Someone mentioned Goodwill for furniture and furnishings. I hate to be a party pooper, but be careful of bedbugs. I just took a training on bedbug contamination. We learned that some folks who have things infested with the little devils donate the furniture to places like Goodwill. I'm not saying you can't find good stuff at thrift store, just cautioning you to be careful.

I didn't see anyone mention this. You don't have to start with a houseful of top of the line stuff. It can be fun to acquire things as you go along.

[cakeladie]

Hi I agree with Liz. Do not go to the goodwill for furniture. Not only do you have to worry about bed bugs but cock roaches to. I know someone that bought a couch from there and ended up infested with cock roaches no fun.

Find a job first. Most apartments want to know where you work and a lot of times you have to show your paycheck stubs to prove that you can afford the place.

If you are going to move in with your boyfriend it does sound silly to put into writing who will pay what but it will save a lot of arguments later.

Also keep in mind not only rent, gas, electrical but money to take your pets to the vet food for you and your pets then there is cell phone clothes etc. it adds up. Just think for a minute about the cleaning supplies you need. Your cats litter etc

Make a list or a budget of everything. Medical dental food rent etc.

Has for a car. Wait till the end of the year. Like on December 31st a lot of dealership are eager to move cars. We got our best deal on December 31st

Good luck

[LiteraryLark]

Where is the best place to buy furniture?

And what would be the difference in costs between a house and an apartment? I'm leaning towards a house because I hate the idea of moving more than once and I'd rather skip the bf/gf apartment phase and go straight for a house to grow in. Just looking on craigslist I can find houses for rent that cost the same or even cheaper than one bedroom apartments.

[cakeladie]

Renting a house would more then likely cost more. You will also have to pay for water, garbage in addition to your gas and electric bill. You might also have a yard to keep up.

An in apartment you can always call the maintenance person. When renting a house if the drains get backed up you might be held responsible for the repair.

If this is the first time you are moving out it would stick with am apartment. You can always move to a bigger place but just starting out start slow. Also your parents might help you with towels and pot and pans. Just don't jump into anything think everything through

[unaluna]

There have been scams in our town about renting houses on craigslist. The people who rent you the house and take your money dont actually own the house and then you are out of luck and out of the money you gave them. They just find an empty house which is easy because so many are in foreclosure and advertise it.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by hankster

There have been scams in our town about renting houses on craigslist. The people who rent you the house and take your money dont actually own the house and then you are out of luck and out of the money you gave them. They just find an empty house which is easy because so many are in foreclosure and advertise it.

I'm sure that's a very rare thing to happen. It's something we have to look into, but no matter what business you do on Craigslist, you always have to make sure you're not getting scammed.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by cakeladie

If this is the first time you are moving out it would stick with am apartment. You can always move to a bigger place but just starting out start slow. Also your parents might help you with towels and pot and pans. Just don't jump into anything think everything through

I'd really like to move into a house though. My best friend lives in an apartment and it feels really cramped in there. I've talked to my cousins and they both told me they'd help me out with odds and ends that I need.

And this is something I will be giving a lot of thought for. If I get the job at AmeriCorps, I will have 11 months to do research and careful consideration.

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

Don't forget insurance.

[BadWolfC]

That's a lot more money than I've ever had, so you'll definitely have enough unless the area you live in is extremely expensive... I would recommend renting a cheap apartment to start, just to save as much money as you can for emergencies. You never know what could happen, and it's best to be prepared.

[healingme4me]

Buying furniture is hit and miss. You do need to inspect, even if craigslist, or from a charity store. And I've heard horror stories from new items places as well. Furnishing a home can be done bit by bit. Where to buy, depends on your budget.

About stocking the pantry, spices aren't cheap once you start buying. Again bit by bit, lest you work the dollar store circuits. But once you have them, replacement can take quite a while.

Oh....don't forget curtains and shower mats and trash bins, etc. Stuff for your bathroom...

What you have sounds like a decent cushion.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by BadWolfC

That's a lot more money than I've ever had, so you'll definitely have enough unless the area you live in is extremely expensive... I would recommend renting a cheap apartment to start, just to save as much money as you can for emergencies. You never know what could happen, and it's best to be prepared.

I live in California in wine country so its very expensive. But the place im moving to is out of wine country and the houses are almost cheaper or the same as apartments.

And right now, im considering staying and make a career out of this job if i get it. To be honest, i like where i live and i dont want to move so far away. So if all works out with the job, I'll get my own apartment here in wine country.

I know it sounds like im being impulsive, but this is something i think about all the time, and i have plenty of time to think about it.